Sunriver Stars Presents Musical Version of “Anne of Green Gables”

Sunriver Stars Community Theater (SSCT) is pleased to present its 2023 season finale, “Anne of Green Gables,” at 7 p.m. November 9-10 and 2 p.m. November 11 at The Door Three Rivers, 56885 Enterprise Dr.

Based on the beloved 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, the play tells the story of Anne Shirley, a feisty red-haired orphan who is sent by mistake to two middle-aged siblings. Adapted for the stage by Michelle R. Davis, the story is set in the early 1900s spanning five years of Anne’s life, as she charms a small community on Prince Edward Island into loving her imaginative and precocious mind.

“Anne of Green Gables is my favorite story of all time,” said Director Rae White. “There is no other classic I connect with more, but I’m most inspired by the love all these actors have for the story and how they want to do it justice.”

White, who played Dorothy in SSCT’s 2022 production of “Oz,” teamed up with her mother, SSCT President Michele Hans, to direct and produce the play, respectively. She also brought her husband on board, who is assisting with set-building, including the school house chalkboard.

The cast includes a wide range of community participants, including longtime Stars actors, Stars Scholars recipient Samuel Soyster (Gilbert Blythe), and newcomers such as Caldera High School senior Kaylee Webster, playing Anne.

“Kaylee is a natural; so much so, she may not realize she and the beloved Anne display a great many personality similarities,” said White. “We are blessed to have her. She and our Diana (Kayla Brandon) go to the same school and easily portray the iconic bosom friends, because they are kindred spirits in real life.”

While the play as written is not a musical, White, who has a degree in vocal performance, chose to add music from the era including parlor songs, English art songs and hymns. In addition, set pieces, props and costumes were thoroughly scrutinized for their believability, with the goal being to transport the audience to the early 1900s. The cast will do further convincing.

“Our Matthew (Dave Schmerber) is truth of character from the core, and Marilla (Jan Bosson) shows a beautiful strength,” White said. “Our Mrs. Lynde (Molly Boudreau) has me falling off my seat in laughter at every rehearsal. Aunt Josephine’s (Barbara Silversmith) scream could curdle milk. I could go on and on about my love for the cast and the story. I’m so ecstatic we have adults to play adults, teenagers to play the youth, and children to play the younger sisters. It makes everything come to life because it seems real.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.sunriverstars.org.